A year ago at this time, Baptiste acknowledged his 13-goal rookie season was a bit underwhelming. Now, the 2013 third-round pick said he’s “ready” for regular NHL duty.

“I’ve proven I can play at the AHL level at a pretty high level, and I’ve proven I can play in the NHL when I was up last year,” Baptiste said.

Baptiste, a 40-goal scorer in junior, believes he can play up and down the lineup. During his last recall, he played with center Jack Eichel and Evander Kane, scoring an early goal.

It’s no secret the Sabres expect their 22-year-old wing prospects – Baptiste, Justin Bailey and Hudson Fasching – to make a big push during training camp.

“What I’ve been focused on for the last five months is working toward making this team,” Baptiste said. “So, no, it’s not pressure so much, it’s more you definitely know you got eyes on you to see if you’re ready to make the team. I’m just excited for the opportunity. I think I’ve done the right things this summer to make myself ready to make the jump.”

Right now, with returning regulars and established additions, the Sabres have 13 forwards. Still, if Baptiste, Bailey or Fasching wow during camp, they would almost certainly keep them over a veteran.

If Baptiste goes back to the AHL, he would be coached by Chris Taylor, an Amerks assistant during his rookie season. Taylor was fired in 2016 before new Sabres general manager Jason Botterill brought him back to be Rochester’s head coach.

Like some other youngsters, Baptiste feels a special comfort with Taylor, someone he called a “great players’ coach,” around again.

“Tail’s and I have a really good relationship,” he said. “We seem to work well together and he understands my game. He’s helped me tremendously just in terms of little things, not so much scoring goals, but … body language and stuff on the boards and defensive zone (play) – stuff that he knows is going to help me get to the NHL level. Obviously, I’ve proven I can score goals at the AHL level, but to play in the NHL, you got to be able to do things defensively.”